Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Exercises
Weeks 1-3
- Pendulum Hangs
- AROM elbow/wrist/hand
- Passive forward elevation (PFE) in the plane of scapula to 90 -100 degrees, self passive elevation on back
- Passive external rotation (PER) with elbow ‘near’ the side of the body to 30 degrees. May be adjusted base on location of the tear and intraoperatively determined ‘safe zone’ of ER.
- Active and manual scapula strengthening exercises: 1. Shoulder Shrug and Roll; 2.Shoulder Blade Pinch
Weeks 3-6
- Pendulum Hangs
- Progress scapula strengthening
- Progress PFE and PER to tolerance
- joint mobilizations grade I & II for pain relief / for all shoulder girdle joints (GH, SC, AC, ST)
- May allow aquatic therapy for active assisted range of motion (AAROM) no swimming strokes.
Weeks 6-12
- Supine Assisted Forward Flexion (with cane or with towel)
- Sitting Assisted Forward Reach (or Forward Bow)
- Standing Wall-Assisted Forward Flexion
- Cane-Assisted External Rotation at 20 degrees, 45 degrees and 90 degrees Abduction
- Doorway Standing External Rotation
- Scapular plane Abduction to Tolerance
- Active Range Of Motion Forward Flexion in the Scapular Plane
- Active Range Of Motion External Rotation in Multiple Positions: Side-Lying; Standing/Sitting
- Active Range Of Motion External Rotation with Band Strengthening
- Active Range Of Motion Internal Rotation with Band Strengthening
- Row with Resistance Band
- Towel/Hand-assisted Internal Rotation Stretch
- Sidelying Internal Rotation Stretch at 70 and 90 Degrees
- Cross-Body Stretch
- Water (pool) therapy Standing in water with float under arm, lower body into water to help stretch into flexion
- Standing in water with float under arm, lower body to side to help with external rotation
Weeks 12
- Side-lying External Rotation with Towel
- Full Can in the Scapular Plane
- Prone Scaption
- Prone Rowing
- Prone Horizontal abduction
- Prone Extension
- Diagonal
- Pushup Plus
- Dynamic Hug
- Internal Rotation at 90 Degrees Abduction
- Forward Band Punch
- Sitting Supported External Rotation at 90 Degrees
- Standing Unsupported External Rotation at 90 Degrees
- Biceps Curl
Exercise Videos
Cane-Assisted External Rotation at 20 degrees
Cane-Assisted External Rotation at 45 degrees
Cane-Assisted External Rotation at 90 degrees
Scapular plane Abduction to Tolerance
1. Upper Extremity Ranger Abduction Standing (below)
2. Active Range of Motion Abduction Cane Standing (below)
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